Liberalism's roots

Anyone who claims that liberals are the true heirs and promulgators of the principles that guided the American revolutionists doesn't know what he is talking about. Modern liberalism is rooted, not in the American founding, but in the progressive movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Many of today's liberals prefer to call themselves progressives, even though much of what they espouse has little to do with progress.

The American Revolution began principally as a tax revolt. Like today's conservatives, the American revolutionists were opposed to more taxes and big government. After much deliberation, they launched what was essentially a conservative counterrevolution against British statism and tyranny. If the patriots of '76 were here today, many of them would no doubt be members of the "misguided" Tea Party, which favors lower taxes, limited government and fiscal responsibility.

While visiting colonial Williamsburg in 1946, Winston Churchill was asked what he felt about a city that played such a significant part in "the revolutionary war against the English." "Revolution against the English," snorted Churchill. "Nay, it was a reaffirmation of English rights. Englishmen battling a Hun king and his Hessian hirelings to protect their English birthright." Couldn't have said it better myself.

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Liberalism's roots

KEVIN WINGATE Muncie Anyone who claims that liberals are the true heirs and promulgators of the principles that guided the American revolutionists doesn't know what he is talking about.